Most U.S. corn growers see farm economy in crisis, new survey shows (American Ag Network): A survey released yesterday from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) shows most U.S. corn farmers believe the agricultural economy is either already in crisis or nearing one. The results were unveiled at an NCGA economic roundtable in Washington, where experts emphasized the widespread financial strain farmers are facing.
NCGA leaders argued that Congress could provide relief by passing the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would lift restrictions on summer sales of E15 fuel blends. Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. described the situation as a “four-alarm fire” and urged lawmakers to act quickly to expand ethanol markets.
NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson warned that the downturn could ripple far beyond farms, as producers cut back on spending, threatening local businesses and rural economies nationwide.
Republicans split over Prop 12 as farm bill talks continue (Agri-Pulse): 14 House Republicans have urged Agriculture Committee leaders not to include a fix for California’s Proposition 12 in the upcoming farm bill, pushing back against industry efforts to roll back the law. In a letter sent earlier this week to Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member Angie Craig, the lawmakers argued that bills such as the Save the Bacon Act would weaken states’ rights, disadvantage family farmers, and expand foreign influence in U.S. agriculture.
Proposition 12, approved by California voters in 2018 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2023, requires pork sold in the state to come from sows raised outside gestation crates. The Save the Bacon Act, introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, would bar states from regulating livestock production across state lines. However, the 14 GOP signers—none of whom sit on the House Ag Committee—warned that overturning Prop 12 could boost companies like Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods, which controls roughly a quarter of U.S. pork production.
The split highlights ongoing divisions within Congress as lawmakers debate how to address Prop 12’s nationwide impact. Farm groups argue the law could create a patchwork of costly regulations for producers, while others say Congress must balance federal authority with state autonomy. Thompson has signaled he intends to include the Save the Bacon Act in the next version of the farm bill, but bipartisan concerns mean every vote will be critical.